The B-29 in Korea

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was one of the most advanced planes of World War Two. Designed with the idea of bombing Germany from the United States, it carried a heavy bomb load a long distance. It was as fast as some of the early war fighters. Heavily armed with machine guns and even a 20mm cannon in its tail, this fully pressurized plane was a formidable weapon. It even looked like a futuristic weapon, sleeker than any other heavy bomber of the war. Despite many problems in the early history of the plane, the plane was eventually produced in large weapons and was the plane which carried strategic bombing to Japan. Many Japanese cities were burned to the ground 1944-1945, with the B-29 first flying from bases in China before settling into bases in the Pacific. Cementing its image as a futuristic weapon of destruction, the B-29 is still the only weapons system to ever deliver an atomic weapon in wartime. It ended its World War Two record as the undisputed king of heavy bombers.

The advent of jet aircraft meant that the B-29 would not last forever as a first class weapon. The United States was already working on the B-36 and B-47 bombers which would take over the role of heavy nuclear bombers. The B-29, some still classified to carry atomic weapons, were now known as “medium bombers” by the time the Korean War broke out in June 1950. Early in the war, the B-29s were able to raid a number of different targets, both tactical and strategic, with minimal interference by the enemy. However, those days ended when the Chinese sent up the modern MiG-15 jet fighter to oppose the B-29. The B-29, once the last word in bomber design, was finally made to feel its age. MiG-15’s were able to rip through B-29 formations, the bombers gun turrets unable to even track the fighters due to their great speed. It ended the war bombing by night except in rare occasions, and even then the enemies use of night fighters and radar controlled searchlights proved hardy obstacles to overcome.

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